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Meeting with Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI

Meeting with Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI

'; 3\· '\J . G .'d.';"1L~. PlZCDG U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission _ VlITH J'ORTlOI"S RE~ll)VED; ___ Log of Meeting Subject: Meeting with , Heating and Institute (AHRl) Date of Meeting: December 18, 2010 Log Entry Source: Don Switzer Date of Log Entry: April 19, 2011 Location: CPSC Headquarters, , Bethesda, MD 20814

CPSC attendees: Patty Adair, (ESFS) Janet Buyer (ESFS) Don Switzer (ESFS) Susan Bathalon (EXHR) Han Lim (ESFS) Ron Jordan (ESFS) Chuck Smith (EC) Patty Davis (PA)

Non-CPSC attendees: Dave Calabrese, Senior Vice President, Policy, AHRI Joe Mattingly, Secretary and General Counsel, AHRT Frank Stanonik, Chief Technical Advisor, AHRI Dave Delaquila, Director of Product Services, AHRI Mary Foley, Product Safety Letter (PSL)

Summary of meeting: AHRI requested this meeting as a introductory meeting between AHRl, and CPSC staff to discuss updating CPSC document # 452 "What You Should Know About Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution." Document 452 provides information to consumers on a wide range of (IAQ) issues related to combustion products. It discusses combustion appliances using natural or propane gas, wood/coal, oil, and kerosene. AHRl provided the agenda for the meeting (attached).

The AHRI is a trade association that has recently joined with the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and includes the previous GAMA member companies that manufacture gas appliances and, pertinent to this meeting, unvented gas space heaters. Each agenda item is reproduced below, followed by a summary of the discussion of AHRI's major concerns on that item.

1) Discuss the Possible Update of Publication #452.

AHRI provided comments on several sections ofthe document (attached).

Given that this document was published in 1991 and has not been updated, staff stated that it would welcome written comments on the documents and, if appropriate, would work with AHRI to find mutually acceptable wording.

2) Presentation of Recent Technical Feasibility Study of Carbon Monoxide Sensing Systems for Appliances done by AHRIIGTI.

AHRI provided staff a copy of the referenced report. 3) Update of any Recent Data on Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths Associated with the Use of Gas Fired Appliances. September 2009 report included data up to 2006.

AHRI asked if there are updated data on CO poisoning. Staff responded that as soon as it is available, the most recent CO death estimates will be posted 011 our website (cpsc.gov).

4) Status ofHR 1796, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act and CPSC Staff View of the Bill?

Staff explained that current information on the status ofHR 1796 is best obtained directly from www.opencongress.org/bill/ill-h 1796. Staff provided AHRI with a copy of the staffs March 18,2010 testimony before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

5) CPSC Consumer Complaint Website- Up and Working?

Staff explained that the Consumer Product Safety Information Database is scheduled to be operational in Spring, 2011 and advised AHRI to check the website (cpsc.gov) for updates on the public database. What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution

wood stoves,

Proper Installation

You should have your appliances professionally installed, Professionals should follow the installation directions and applicable building codes, Improperly installed appliances can release dangerous pollutants in your home and may create a fire hazard, Be sure that the installer checks for backdrafting on all vented appliances A qualified Installer knows how to do this,

Ventilation

• To reduce indoor air pollution, a good supply of fresh outdoor air IS needed, The movement of air into and out of your home is very important Normally, air comes through cracks around doors and windows, This air helps reduce the level of pollutants indoors, This supply of fresh air is also important to help carry pollutants up the , stovepipe, or flue to the outside, • Keep doors open to the rest of the house from the room where you are using an unvented gas or , and crack open a window, This allows enough air for proper combustion and reduces the level of pollutants, especially carbon monoxide, • Use a hood , if you are using a range. They reduce the level of pollutants you breath, if they exhaust to the outside, Make sure that enough air is coming into the house when you use an exhaust fan, If needed, slightly open a door or window, especially if other appliances are in use, For proper operation of most combustion appliances and their venting system, the air pressure in the house should be greater than that outside, If not, the vented appliances could release combustion pollutants into the house rather than outdoors, If you suspect that you have this problem you may need the help of a qualified person to solve it • Make sure that your vented appliance has the vent connected and that nothing is blocking it Make sure there are no holes or cracks in the vent Do not vent gas clothes dryers or water heaters into the house for heating, This is unsafe, • Open the stove's when adding wood. This allows more air into the stove, More air helps the wood burn properly and prevents pollutants from being drawn back into the house instead of going up the chimney Visible smoke or a constant smoky odor inSide the home when using a wood burning stove is a sign that the stove is not working properly, Soot on furniture in the rooms where you are using the stove also tells this, Smoke and soot are signs that the stove is releasing pollutants into the indoor aiL

Correct Use

• Read and follow the instructions for all appliances so you understand how they work, Keep the owner's manual in a convenient place to refer to when needed, Also, read and follow the warning labels beca use they tell you important safety information that you need to know, Reading and following the instructions and warning labels could save your life, • Always use the correct fuel for the appliance, • Only use water-clear ASTM 1-K kerosene for kerosene heaters, The use of kerosene other than 1-K could lead:o a release of more pollutants in your home, Never use gasoline in a kerosene heater because it can cause a fire or an explosion. Using even small amounts of gasoline could cause a fire, • Use seasoned hardwoods (elm, maple, oak) instead of softwoods (cedar, fir, pine) in woodburning stoves and , Hardwoods are better because they burn hotter and form less creosote, an oily, black tar that sticks to chimneys and stove pipes, Do not use green or wet woods as the primary wood because they make more creosote and smoke, Never burn painted scrap wood or wood treated with preservatives, because they Could release highly tOXIC pollutants, such as arsenic or lead, Plastics, , and colored paper such as comics, also produce pollutants, Never burn anything that the stove or manufacturer does not recommend. • Never use a range, oven, or dryer to heat your home, \M1en you misuse gas appliances in this way, they can produce fatal amounts of carbon monoxide, They can produce high levels of nitrogen diOXide, too, • Never use an unvented combuslion heater overnight or In a room where you are sleeping. Carbon monoxide from combustion heaters can reach dangerous levels. • Never ignore a safety device when it shuts off an appliance. It means that something is wrong, Read your appiiance instructions to find out what you should do or have a professional check out the problem • Never ignore the smell of fuel, T his usually indicates that the appliance is not operating properly or is leaking fuel. Leaking fuel wil not always be defectible by smell. If you suspect that you have a fuel leak have it fixed as soon as pOSSible In most cases you should shut off the appliance, extinguish any other flames or pilot lights, shut off other appliances in the area, open windows and doors, call for help, and leave the area

Inspection and Maintenance

• Have your combustion appliance regularly inspected and maintained to reduce your exposure to pollutants. Appliances that \\~\at You Stwuld Know About Combl1,tion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution

are not working properly can release harmful and even fatal amounts of pollutants, espeCially carbon monoxide. • Have chimneys and vents inspected when installing or changing vented heating appliances Some modifications may be required. For example, if a change was made in your from oil to natural gas, the produced by the gas system oould be hot enough to melt accumulated oil oombustion debris in the chimney or vent. This debris oould block the vent forcing pollutants into the house. It is important to clean your chimney and vents especially when changing heating systems.

What are the Inspection and maintenance procedures?

The best advice is to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. The same oombustion appliance may have different inspection and maintenance requirements, depending upon where you live.

In general, check the flame in the combustion chamber at the beginning of the heating season. Natural gas should have a blue flame with perhaps only a slight yellow tip. Call your appliance service representative to adjust the burner if there is a lot of yellow in the flame, or call your local utility company for this service. LP units should have a flame with a bright blue center that may have a light yellow tip. Pilot lights on gas water heaters and gas cooking appliances should also have a blue flame Have a trained service representative adjust the pilot light if it is yellow or orange

Before each heating season, have flues and chimneys inspected and cleaned before each heating season for leakage and for blockage by creosote or debris. Creosote buildup or leakage oould cause black stains on the outside of the chimney or flue These stains can mean that pollutants are leaking into the house.

The chart below shows how and when to take care of your appliance.

This booklet discussad the types of pollutants that may be produced by oombustion appliances, described how they might affect your health, and suggested ways you could reduce your exposure to them. It also explained that proper appliance selection, installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance are very important in reducing exposure to combustion pollutants.

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

·.Mainte~anc~fFre9uen ualified person check/clean himney, clean/adjust burners, heck and peration - Yearly (at start of ti~Q seaso.r:.L ... GaS/Oil ualified person check/clean ter/Steam himney, clean combustion Heating hamber, adjust burners, check Systems and I peration. Yearly (at start of ater Heaters : heating season) Kerosene ,Look to see that mantle is I Check and replace wick •• Yearly Space Heaters properly seated· daily I(at start of heating season); when in use; I Clean Combustion chamber-­ . Look to see that fuel tank IYearly (at start of heating season); is free of water and other !Drain fuel tank .. Yearly (at end of . contamina nts .- daily or 'heating season) before refueling od/Coal Look at flues for rust and ualified person check/clean Stoves soot· Yea rly 'chimney, check seams and gaskets, heck operation _. Yearly (at start f heatinfJ season) \I,~\fJt You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and indoor Air Pollution For more information:

For a copy of CPSC's booklets What You Should Know Aboul Space Heaters and What You Should Know About Kerosene Heaters, and for information on asbestos, biological pollutants, lead, methylene chloride, , and formaldehyde In your home, write to:

U.S Consumer product Safety Ccmmisslon Washington, D.C. 20207 or send an e-mail to publjcatioQ$@cpsc ooy.

For a copy of The Inside Story A GUide to IndoQr Air Quality and additional information on indoor air quality call

EPA's IAQ INFO Clearinghouse PO Box 37133, Washington, DC 20013-7133 1-800-438-4318, or (703) 356-4020 (fax) (703) 356-5386, or e-maillaqicfo@aol com

Information on indoor air quality is also available from local Amencao Lunq AssQciat:Qo rAl Al

For Information on woodstoves write:

Wood Heater Program U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Manufacturing, Energy, and Transportation DiviSion (2223A) oECA/OC/M ETD 401 M Street, SW Washington, DC 20460 (202) 564-2300/(202) 564-0050 (fax)

For Information on kerosene heaters, write or call:

National Kerosene Heater ASSOCiation 3100 West End Avenue, Suite 250 Nashville, TN 37203 (Telephone 615-269-9015)

For information on gas heating appliances, write:

Gas Appliance Manllfactllrecs Association Inc 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 1100 Arlington, VA 22209

Amencan Gas ASSOCiation 1515 Wlson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209

For a copy of Straight Answers to Burning Questions or other woodburning information, write:

Wood Heating Alliance 1101 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036

009109

The CPSC and the EPA have not reviewed or approved all the information and documents on indoor aiF quality that may be provided by other groups or organizations.

Any reproduction should credit the American Lung Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the US. Environmental Protection Agency. The use of all or any part of this document in a deceptive manner or for purposes of advertiSing or endorSing a particular product may be subject to appropriate legal action. "''hat You ShouL.:! Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution

Consumers can obtain this publication and additional publication information from the pUblicatlQns secUoll of CPSC's web site or by sending your publication request to info@cpsc gov. This document is in the public domain. It may be reproduced Without change in palt or VvtIole by an indiVidual or organization Without permission. If It Is reproduced, however, ttle Commission would appreCiate knO\',~ng how It Is used. Wr1te the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, 4330 East West Higllway, Bethesda, MD 20814 or send an e-mail via CPSC's 00-1 me Eorm.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged With protecting the public Tom unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from tllousands oftypes of consumer products under ttle agencys jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from prOducts that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazarcL The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer prockJcts - such as toys, cribs, power tools, Cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributecl significantly to the (recline in the rate of deaths andrnjur1es assodated With consumer prOducts over the past 30 years

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotllne at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypelNriter at (301) 595-7054. or visit CPSC's web site at 'WNW cpse Qovltjll~ !JIml. To Join a C PSC email subscliption list, please go to https llwyw/ cpSC Qov/c.oscllst ilSpx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall/nfolmation at CPSC's Web site at ~:;;L.fJ!..!Y..

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Consumer Product Safety Commission

What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution

CPSC Document #452

Hazards may be associated with almost all types of appliances. The purpose of this booklet is to answer some common ques:ions you may have about the potential for one specifiC type of hazard - indoor air pollution - assoc,ated with one class of appliances ­ combustion appliances

Combustion appliances are those which burn fuels for warmth, cooking, or decorative purposes. Typical fuels are gas, both natural and liquefied petroleum (LP): kerosene; oil; coal; and wood. Examples of the appliances are space heaters, ranges, ovens, stoves. furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, and clothes dryers. These appliances are usually safe. However, under certain conditions. these appliances can produce combustion pollutants that can damage your health. or even kill you.

POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS range from headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, and watery eyes to breathing difficulties or even death. Similar effects may also occur because of common medical problems or other indoor air pollutants.

This booklet was written'

1 to encourage the proper use, maintenance, and installation of combustion appliances; 2. to diSCUSS the pollutants produced by these appliances; 3 to describe how these pollutants can affect your health; and, 4 to tell you how you can reduce your exposure to tTlem.

Should I be concerned about indoor air pollution?

YES. Studies have shown that the air in our homes can be even more polluted than the outdoor air in big cities. Because peor;le spend a lot of time indoors, the quality of the air Indoors can affect their health. Infants. young children and be elderly are a group shown to be more susceptible to pollutants People with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular illness or immune system diseases are also more susceptible than others to pollutants.

Many factors determine whether pollutants in your home will affect your health. They include the presence, use, and condition of pollutant sources. the level of pollutants both mdoors and out, the amount of ventilation in your home, and your overall health.

Most homes have more than one source of indoor air pollution. For example, pollutants come from tobacco smoke, building materials, decorating products, home furnishings. and actiVities such as cooking, heating, cooling, and cleaning. liVing in areas With high outdoor levels of pollutants usually results in high indoor levels. Combustion pollutants are one category of indoor air pollutants.

What are combustion pollutants?

Combustion pollutants are gases or particles that come from burning matenals. The combustion pollutants discussed in this booklet come from burning fuels in appliances The common fuels burned in these appliances are natural or LP gas, fuel oil. kerosene, wood, or coa. The types and amounts of pollutants produced depend upon the type of appliance, how well the appllanCEl is installed, maintained. and vented, and the kind cf fuel it uses. Some of the common pollutants produced from burning thc.c.e fuels are carbon monoxide. nitrogen dioxide, particles, and sulfur dioxide. Particles can have hazardous chemicals attached to them. Other pollutants that can be produced by some appliances are unburned hydrocarbons and aldehydes.

Combustion always produces water vapor. Water vapor is not usually considered a pollutant, but it can act as one. It can result :n high and wet surfaces. These conditions encourage the grO\Nth of biological pollutants such as house dust mites, moldS, and bacteria.

Where do combustion pollutants come from?

Combustion pollutants found indoors include: outdoor air, tobacco smoke, exhaust from car and lawn mower internal combustior engines, and some hobby activities such as welding, wood burning. and soldering. Combustion pollutants can also come from vented or unvented combustion appliances. These appliances include space heaters, gas ranges and ovens, furnaces, gas water heaters, gas clothes dryers, wood or coal-burning stoves, and fireplaces. As a group these are called "combustion appliances" Wh"t You Should Know About Combustion Appliance. and Indoor Air PollutIOn

What is a vented appliance? What is an unvented appliance?

Vented appliances are appliances designed to be used with a , chimney, , or other device that carry the combustion pollutants outside the home. These appliances can re:ease large amounts of pollutants directly into your home, if a vent not properly installed, or is blocked or leaking

Unvented appliances do not vent to the outside, so they release combustion pollutants directly into the home.

Look at the box below for typical appliance problems that cause the release of pollutants in your home. Many of these problems are hard for a homeowner to identify, A professional is needed,

COMBUSTION APPLIANCES AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

Central Na tur I r Cracked heat exchanger; , Furnaces L. ~ ~ Not enough air to burn fuel properly; Room pl~t~~I~:mi Defective/blocked flue; Maladjusted burner Heaters Gas Fireplaces Central Oil Cracked heat exchanger; Furnaces Not enough air to burn fuel properly; Defective/blocked flue; Maladjusted burner Central Wood Cracked heat exchanger; Not enough air to burn fuel Heaters •properly; Defective/blocked flue; Green or treated 'Room wood Heaters Central Coal Cracked heat exchanger; Not enough air to burn fuel Furnaces properly; Defective grate Stoves ,Room Kerosene Improper adjustment; Wrong fuel (not-K-1); Wrong 'Heaters wick or wick height; Not enough air to burn fuel Central properly ,Heaters Water atural or Not enough air to burn fuel properly; Heaters iquefied ,Defective/blocked flue; Maladjusted burner Petroleum' as Ranges; •Natural or Not enough air to burn fuel properly; Maladjusted , Ovens i Liquefied burner; Misuse as a room heater 'Petroleum Gas Stoves; Wood Not enough air to burn fuel properly; Fireplaces Coal Defective/blocked flue; Green or treated wood;

i I Cracked heat• exchanger____ '''' or firebox

Can I use charcoal grills or charcoal hibachis Indoors?

No. Never use these appliances inside homes, trailers, truck-caps, or tents, Carbon monoxide from burning and smoldering charcoal can kill you if you use it indoors for cooking or heating. There are about 25 deaths each year from the use of charcoal \%al You Should Know About CombLlStion Appliances and Indoor Air PollUtiotl

If you suspect you are being subjected to carbon monoxide poisoning get fresh air Immediately Open windows and doors for more ventilation, turn off any combustion appliances, and leave the house. You could lose consciousness and die from carbon monoxide poisoning if you do nothing. It is also important to contact a doctor IMMEDIATELY for a proper diagnosis. Remember to tell your doctor that you suspect carbon monoxide pOisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is Important

Remember that some symptoms from combustion pollutants - headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, coughing, and watery eyes - may also occur because of common medical problems These medical probiems include colds, the flu, or allergies. Similar symptoms may also occur because of other indoor air pollutants. Contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis,

To help your doctor make the correct diagnosis, try to have answers to the following questions:

• Do your symptoms occur only in the home? Do they disappear or decrease when you leave home, and reappear when you return? • Is anyone else in your household complaining of similar symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, or sleepiness? Are they complaining of nausea, watery eyes, coughing, or nose and throat irritation? • Do you always have symptoms? • Are your symptoms getting worse? • Do you often catch colds or get the flu? • Are you using any combustion appliances in your home? • Has anyone inspected your appliances lately? Are you certain they are working properly?

Your doctor may take a blood sample to measure the level of carbon monoxide in your blood if rle or she suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, This sample will help determine whether carbon monoxide is affecting your health.

Contact qualified appliance service people to have your appliances inspected and adjusted if needed, You should be abl0 to Ind a qualified person by asking your appliance distributor or your fwel supplier In some areas, the local fuel company may be able to inspect and adjust the appliance,

How can I reduce my exposure to combustion pollutants?

Proper selection, installation, inspection and maintenance of your appliances are extremely important in reducing your exposure to these pollutants, Providing good ventilation in your home and correctly using your appliance can also reduce your exposure to these pollutants,

Additionally, there are several different residential carbon monoxide detectors for sale. The CPSC is encouraging the development of detectors that will prOVide maximum protection, These detectors would warn consumers of harmfUl carbon monoxide levels in the home, They may soon be widely available to reduce deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning,

APPLIANCE SELECTION

• Choose vented appliances whenever possible • Only buy combustion appliances that have been tested and certified to meet current safety standards, Examples of certifying organizations are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the American Gas Association (AGA) Laboratories, Look for a label that clearly shows the certification, • All currently manufactured vented gas heaters are required by industry safety standards to have a safety shut-off device. This device helps protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning by shutting off an improperly vented heater. • Check your local and state building codes and fire ordinances to see if you can use an unvented space heater, if you consider purchasing one. They are not allowed to be used in some communities, dwellings, or certain rooms in the house. • If you must replace an unvented gas space heater With another, make it a new one. Heaters made after 1982 have a pilot light safety system called an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS), This system shuts off the heater when there is not enough fresh air, before the heater begins producing large amounts of carbon monoxide. Look for the label that tells you that the appliance has this safety system. Older heaters will not have this protection system, • Consider buying gas appliances that have electronic ignitions rather than pilot ligHs These appliances are usually more energy effiCient and eliminate the continLous low-level pollutants from pilot lights. • Buy appliances that are the correct size for the area you want to heat. Using the wrong size heater may produce more pollutants in your home and is not an efficient use of energy, • Talk to your dealer to determine the type and size of appliance you will need, You may wish to write to the appliance manufacturer or association for more information on the appliance, Some addresses are in the back of this booklet • All new woodstoves are EPA-certified to limit the amounts of pollutants released into the outdoor air. For more information on selecting, installing, operating, and maintaining woodburning stoves, write to the EPA Wood Heater Program Their address IS at the bottom of this booklet. Before buying a woodstove check your local laws about the installation and use of

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